Closure operating mechanism



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY IILH T; BRADY CLOSURE OPERATINGMECHANISM Filed Dec.

June 23, 1931.

FIG!

' T. BRADY CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANISM June 23, 1931.

Filed Dec. 4,1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 z INVENTOR Rm ATTORNEY BY 'lil'leJune 23, 1931. BRADY 1,810,942"

CLOSURE OPERATING MECHANI Sll M CB L mvam'on BY "87,0212" ATTOPNEYPatented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE THOMAS BRADY, OFEAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO OTIS ELEVATOR COH- PANY, OF NEWYORK, N. Y., A CORIORATION OF NEW JERSEY CLOSUREOPERATING MECHANISM Theinvention relatds to closure operating mechanism and particularly tooperating mechanism for elevator car gates or hatchway doors.

It is advantageous in many elevator installations to provide mechanismfor automatically o crating the elevator car gate and hatchway oors,particularly in cases Where these closures must be frequently operatedand in cases where their manual operation is inconvenient. In certaintypes of installations, it is of advantage to provide mechanism forautomatically operating the car gate or a hatchway door to one of itsoperated positions with the movement of such closure toits otheroperated position efiected either manually or by additional actuatingmech- I anism. For example, in elevator systems wherein the operation ofthe car is under the control of the passengers themselves and wherein aclosure must be in closed position before the car may be operated, it isparticw larly desirable that operating mechanism vbe provided for movingthe'closure to closed position in order that the car may be operatedfrom any point.

The invention is particularly directed to elevator systems in whichthe'closure operating mechanism is arranged to move the closure toclosed position. Although many features of the invention are a pllcableto various types of elevator insta lations, the invention is ofparticularadvantage in systems in which the elevator car is under thecontrol of the passengers and intending passengers themselves.

One feature of the invention resides in" temporarily restraining theoperation of a closure operator to move the closure to closed position.This removes the burden from the passengers and intending passengers ofmanually holding the closure in open position so that they are free toenter and leave the car without attention to the closure, except theinitial act of opening the closure in cases where the closure isarranged for manual provision of restraining means for the closureoperatorwhich is released, only upon the fulfillment of certainconditions, to permit" the closure operator to move the closure toclosed position. This permits the subjecting of the restraining means tothe operation of the controlling devices for the elevator car, such aspushbuttons, and also to the closure and locking of the hatchway doorsin cases where the closure operator is pro vided for the elevator carate, thereby eliminating the possibility of the closure striking aperson entering or leaving the car.

A third feature of the invention resides in the provision of a closureoperator which is of simple construction, reliable but economical inoperation and in which the cost of manufacture and installation isminimized.

Other features and advanta es will become apparent. from the followingescription and ap endant claims.

' he invention involves maintaining the closure in any open position towhich it is moved, by means of friction mechanism operatively associatedwith the closure and the release of the friction mechanism to permit theclosure operator to move the closure to closed position.

In carrying out the invention, according to the embodiment illustrated,a rotatable member is connected to the closure operator so as to beoperated thereby and an eccentrically mounted roller is positioned tocooperate with the rotatable member in such manner that the closureoperator in tending to move the closure to closed position acts throughthe rotatable member to cause the eccentric roller to hold the rotatablemember against further movement thereby preventing the closure operatorfrom moving the closure to closed position. The eccentric roller isreleased by an electromagnet to permit the return of the closure toclosed position. This electromagnet is controlled in such manner thatits energization to permit the closing operation is only momentary, alatch being provided to maintain the eccentric roller in releasedposition and to operate circuit controlling means to effect the deenergization of the magnet. In this manner, the closure is permitted tocontinue its closing movement without unnecessary consumption ofelectrical energy. The latch is tripped out as the closure nears closedposition, a switch being arranged to be operated by the closure tomaintain the releasing electromagnet deenergized after the circuitcontrolling means controlled by the latch has been restored to itsprevious condition. The rotatable member may be arranged to beunaffected by the eccentric roller within a certain zone if desired,thereby permitting the continued movement of the closure to closedposition after the tripping of the latch and also the immediatereclosure of the closure in the event that it is not moved outside ofthis zone.

Although the embodiment of the invention which will be describedin'dctail is the adaptation of the operating and holding device to biasthe gate on the elevator car to closed position and to temporarily holdthe car gate in open position, it is to be understood that the operatingand holding device is equally suited for use with the hatchway doorsatthe various landings of an elevator installation! In the drawingsFigure 1 is a schematic View of the front of an elevator car showing anembodiment of the closure operating and holding device of the presentinvention applied to the car gate.

til) Figure 2 is an enlarged view'of a portion of Figure 1 with parts insection to illustrate the construction of the holding mechanism, thecooperating parts being shown in the positions assumed when the gate isapproaching closed position;

F ignre 3 is a section taken alon line 33 of Figure 2 illustratingdetails of construc: tion;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of two switches adapted to be operated by acam carried by the car gate, parts being shown in seciion to illustratedetails of construction; an

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of anautomatic push button elevatorinstallation embodying the closure operating and holding device of thepresent invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an elevator car designated 21 is supportedby -a car sling, designated as a whole by 22. to which hoisting ropingis attached to effect movement of the car in the hatchway. A ate 23,which is illustrated as of the collapsible type, is suspended fromhangers provided with rollers 24 engaging a track 25 on the car to guidethe gate in movement transverse of the car entrance. A plate 27 mountedon the gate is connected by a link 28 to a gate operating arm 30adjustably secured to an arm grip 31. The arm grip is pivotally mountedat on a bracket 33 mounted on a plate 34. Plate 34 is supported b anglemembers 35 from the crosshead 36 o the car sling.

A member 37 adjust-ably secured to arm grip 31 is pivotally connected tothe piston rod 38 of a combined gate closing and checking device 40 suchas shown in applicants prior Patent, 1,685,081 issued Sept. 25, 1928.

A tongue 41 on the check cylinder 42 of this device is pivotally mountedon a bracket 43 carried by plate 34. \Vith this arrangement a springwithi n casing 44 biases the gate to closed position and the finalclosing movement of the gate is retarded by the coaction of the checkcylinder and piston.

In order that the gate may be temporarily maintained in open positionwithout attention from persons entering or leaving the .3

car, a restraining device is provided to prevent the closing device 40from moving the gate to closed position. A link 46 is pivotallyconnected at one end to a clamp 47, adjustably secured on arm 30. Link46 is adjustably secured in a member 48 pivotally supported on a stud50. This stud is adjustably mounted in a slot 51 in the face of a disc53. The )eriphcry of the disc is formed with fla tened portions 54 and55. nalled upon an eccentric portion 56 of a stub shaft 57. The functionof flattened portions 54, 55 and the reason for the eccentric mountingof disc 53 will appear as the description proceeds. A shoulder 58 onshaft 57 bears against one side of a late 60 supported from angle member35 by brackets 61 and one end of shaft 57 passes through the plate andis threaded to receive a nut 62 bearing against the other side of plate60 to secure the shaft against rotation. The other end of shaft 57 isthreaded to receive a nut 63 adapted to secure a strap 64 against theeccentric portion 56 of the stub shaft. A second stub shaft 65,supported by the plate 60 receives the other end of strap 64, thissecond stub shaft being secured to the plate by a shoulder 66 and a nut67.

A roller 70 is eccentrically mounted on stub shaft 65. A lever 71 isconnected at one end to roller 70 and at its other end is connected by alink 72 to the armature 73 of an electromagnet 74. A spring 75 mountedbetween an adjusting screw 76 on a bracket 77 on plate 60 and a boss onlever 71 biases the latter to turn roller 7 O counterclockwise aboutshaft 65 into contact with the arcuate portion of the peripheral surfaceof disc 53 to prevent rotation of the disc. An adjustable stop 78 limitsthe counterclockwise movement of Disc 53 is jourlever 71. Magnet 74 uponenergization acts through its armature 73 and link 72 to move lever 71upwardly against the force of spring 75, thereby freeing disc 53 fromthe restraining action of roller 70.

A latch 80 pivotally mounted on plate 60 is provided to maintain lever71 in its raised position, thereby holding eccentric roller out ofcontact with disc 53. The mass of latch is so distributed with respectto its pivotal mounting that the latch tends to turn to cause a shoulder81 thereon to engage the .end of lever 71 to support the lever when thelatter is raised upon energization of magnet 74. A tripping member 82adjustably mounted on disc 53 is adapted to engage an extension 83 oflatch 80 during rotation of the disc to free lever 71 from latch 80. Astop 84 is provided to limit movement of latch 80 by tripping member 82.

A pair of contacts 85, mounted on and insulated from a bracket 86, areadapted to be bridged by a bridging contact 87. This bridging contact 87is carried by latch 80. When the lever 71 is resting on stop 78, theleft-hand end of lever 71 engages latch 80 below the shoulder 81, sothat as a consequence bridging contact 87 is then maintained inengagement with contacts 85. This position of the latch 80 and bridgingcontact 87 illustrated in Figure 1. \Vhen the left-hand end of lever 71engages the shoulder 81 of latch 80this occurring as a consequence ofenergization of magnet 74 and the attendant raising of lever 71theshoulder 81 maintains the lever 71 in its raised position. In thisraised position bridging contact 87 is separated from contacts 85. InFigure 2, the lever 71 is shown latched in the shoulder 81 of the latch80 and the bridging contact 87 is shown separated from contacts 85.Inasmuch as the contacts are arranged in the circuit of magnet 74, thelatching of the lever 71 in raised position breaks the circuit formagnet 74. It is to be noted, however, that with this construction, thecircuit of the magnet is not broken unless the lever is latched inraised position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4, a. cam 88 carried by the gate 23 isadapted to eflect the engagement of contacts of a gate switch,designated as a whole by 90, and the separation of the contacts of anauxiliary gate switch designated as a whole by 91. Gate switch 90 isillustrated at the left of Figure 4. This switch comprises a support 92mounted upon an insulating base 93 and electrically connected to abinding post 94. A lever 95 pivotally mounted upon support 92 carries ayieldingly mounted contact 96 adapted to be normally maintained out ofengagement with a fixed contact 97 by a spring 98 acting on lever 95.The fixed contact 97 is mounted upon the base 93 and its stem isprovided with binding nuts. A stop 89 formed on lever 95 is adapted toengage support 92 to limit the movement of lever 95 by spring 98. Aroller 99 carried by lever 95 is arranged to be engaged by the cam 88when the gate reaches closed posi-- tion to move the lever 95 againstthe force of spring 98 causing contact 96 to engage contact 97. Contacts96 and 97 are arranged in the circuits for controlling the operationofthe elevator car so as to prevent the operation of the car when the gateis not fully closed.

Auxiliary gate switch 91 is illustrated at the right of Figure 4. Thisswitch comprises a lever 100 pivotally mounted upon a support 101 andcarrying a contact 102 adapted to be forced into engagement with a fixedcontact 103 by a spring 104 acting on lever 100. The support 101 andcontact 103 are mounted upon an insulating base 105, the support 101being electrically connected to binding post 106, and the stem ofcontact 103 being provided with binding nuts 107. Lever 100 is providedwith a. roller 108 arranged to be engaged by cam 88 when the gate isnearly in closed position, to rock the lever 100 against the force ofspring'104 and move contact 102 from engagement with contact 103.Contacts 102 and 103 are arranged in the circuit 'for magnet 74 andthereby prevent the energization of this magnet when, as the gatereaches closed position, the

tripper 82 moves the latch 80 to cause the contact 87 to bridge contacts85.

,The operation is as follows: Assume that the gate is in closedposition. lVhcn the gate -is moved toward open position, arm. 30 isrocked c ounterclockwise acting member 37 to gradually increase thetension of the spring within casing 44 of the gate closing device 40.Arm. 30 acts through link 46 to rotate disc 53 counterclockwise. Duringthe initial part of the gate opening movement the eccentric roller 70does not engage the disc 53 due to the fact that it is abow theflattened portion 54 and is held out of contact therewith by stop 78. Asthe arcuate portion of the disc comes under roller 70 and engagestherewith it causes clockwise rotation of the roller about shaft 65against the force of spring 75. As a result the dis tance from thecenter of shaft 65 to the point of contact of roller 70 with disc 53 isgradually lesscncd until the point of sliding contact is reached. Thissliding contact is main-' tained as the,rotati0n of disc 53 continues,thereby preventing the roller from offering any appreciable resistanceto the gate opening operation. \Vhen the force acting to move the gateto open position is no longer applied the spring of the gate closingdevice 40 acting through member 37 and arm 30 tends to movethe gate toclosed position. However, the initial movement of arm 30 causesclockwise rot-ationof disc 53 which in turn rotates eccentric roller 70counterclockwise about shaft 65 increasing the distance through all.

:oai'riveen the centre of shaft 65 and the point oi contact of roller 70with disc 53 until ler 70 has been turned sufficiently to wedge the discagainst further rotation. As a regate closin device 40 is restrainedfrom ,tion and the gate is maintained in open position.

During the initial part of the gate opening operation cam 88 moves outof engagement With rollers 99 and 108 causing the opening of switch 90and the closing of switch 91. Switch 91, as previously explained, controls the circuit for magnet 7 4, the closing of this switch permittingthe energization of the magnet when the gate is in open position toeffect the closing of the gate.

Upon energization of magnet 74 armature 73 is attracted, raising lever71 against the force of spring 7 and as a consequence e rotating roller70 clockwise about shaft 65.

all from the disc Such rotation of roller 70 lessens the distance fromthe center of shaft 65 to the point of contact of the roller and discand finally results in the disengagement of the roller 70 53. Rotationof disc 53 is thus permitted and gate closing device acts to move thegate to closed position. As lever 71 is raised latch 80 turns by gravityand shoulder 8i thereof falls under the end of 1. lever 71 to maintainthe latter in raised posi- When the shoulder of latch 80 seats i110.under the end of lever 71 contact 87 is out all bulging relation withcontacts 85 there by interrupting the circuit of magnet Tet.

Such deenergization of magnet 7a avoids position by latch 80 to preventthe interrup tion of the gain closing operation by rcen gagenient ofroller 70 with disc 53. In the event latch 80 should stick and fail toenthe end of lever 71 the gate closing operation would not beinterrupted as magnet 74 would remain energized to maintain roller '50out of contact with disc As the gate nears closed position, cam 88carried thereby operates switch 91 to further open the circuit of magnet74. When the gate nears closed position. tripping member )2 engages thepart 83 of latch 80 rotating the latch counterclockwise to reengagecontact 87 with contacts 85 and to move shoulder a all from under theend of lever 71 releasing disc 53 owing to the fact that at the time thelatch is released the flattened portion 54 oi the disc underlies theroller. Thus the gate continues its movement to fully closed positionWithout interference from. the roller. As the gate reaches fully closedposition cam 88 closes switch 90. The checking mechanism of gate closingand checking device 40 acts to retard the latter part of the gateclosing movement, thus insuring that the gate will be brought to resteasily and quietly.

The gate may be closed manually, if desired, despite the action ofroller 70 to prevent the closing of the gate by gate closing andchecking device 40. lVhen the additional manual force is applied toclose the gate, a slight further rotation of roller 70 is effected untillever 71 engages stop 78. Stop 78 is adjusted to preclude roller 70being turned sufficiently to prevent the manual closing operation.

As stated above, disc 53 is mounted upon the eccentric portion 56 ofstub shaft 57. Shaft 57 may be turned in its hearings in plate 60 andstrap 64 to rotate eccentric portion 56 thus raising or lowering disc 53rela tively to roller 70 to secure the initial adjust ment desired or tocompensate for wear of the disc or roller. A further adjustment for Wearmay be made by removing roller 70. together with lever 71, from shaft 65and turning the roller one hundred and eighty degrees about itsconnection to lever 71. lVhen roller is replaced on shaft 65 an unwornsurface is presented for engagement with the arcuate portion of theperiphery of disc 53. Disc 53 may also be rotated, if desired, topresent the unworn arcuate portion and the other flattened portion 55 ofthe disc for cooperation with roller 70. In this event the stud 50 ismounted in slot 5:2 and tripping member 82 is shifted accordingly.

It is obvious that if a disc Without flattened peripheral portions issubstituted for disc 53 an arcuate portion of such a disc underlies theroller 70 in all positions of the disc. With this arrangement the rolleracts not only to prevent gate closing and checking device 40 fromclosing the gate but also to maintain the gate in any position to whichit is moved from fully closed position.

The gate operating and holding device described above is particularlysuited for use in closing the gate on the elevator car of automatic pushbutton elevator installations wherein the hatchway doors afl'ordingaccess to the car at the various landings are manually opened andautomatically closed, as by combined operating and checking devicesassociated With each door. Figure 5 schematically illustrates such anautomatic push button elevator installation embodying the gate operatingand holding device described above. For convenience, a four-floorinstallation is shown.

In Figure 5 the various electromagnetic Y above enumerated switches.vFor example,

the contacts B 161 are contacts of the down direction switch B. o

The elevator car is raised and lowered by a motor, designated as a wholeby 110, whic for convenience is illustrated as of the direct currenttype. The armature of the elevator motor is designated 111, its startingresist'-' ance 112, its series field winding 113 and its;

separatelyexcited field winding 114. is the release coil for theelevator motor electromagnetic brake 116, and 117 is the stoppingresistance or dynamic brake. Door lock .contacts are provided for eachhatchwa'y door, these contacts being arranged in series relation andrepresented in Figure 5 by a single pair of contacts'designated 120.Auxiliary door contacts are also provided for each door, these contactsbemg arranged 1n series relation and represented by a single pair ofcontacts designated 121. Door lock contacts 120 are engaged only whentheir respective doors are closed andlocked, and are provided its toprevent the operatioh of the elevator car except when all hatchway doorsare closed and locked. Such locks and contacts actuated by a retiringcam on the car are well known in the elevator indust so that as aconsequence the details thereo have not been shown. Atypicalconstruction thereof is shown in a plicants U. S. Patent No.1,669,075. T e auxiliary door contacts 121 are engaged whenever theirrespective doors are closed, even though the doors are not locked andtheir purpose will be seen as the descri tion proceeds. A retiring camis provi ed to control the door'locks, only the actuatin magnet 122 forthe cam being illustrated? Two gate switches 99 are provided, theircontacts being arranged in the circuit for the actuating coilP 123 ofthe potential switch to prevent completion of the starting circuits ofthe car while the gate is open. The contacts of auxiliary gate switch h91 are arranged in the circuit-of gate releasing magnet 4 as previouslystated. A push button 128 for each floor is provided in the car. A pushbutton 129 is also provided at each floor. Push buttons 128 and 129 willbe closed position-that is,

hereinafter referred to as car buttons and ball buttons respectively. Afloor controller designated as a whole by 130, is provided and comprisesswitches 131-, 132, 133 and 134 for the intermediate floors and terminalswitches 135 and 136 for the top and bottom floors respectively. Anemergency stop button 137 is provided in the car. The 'various safetyde- Vises, such as final limit switches, the switch operated by the carsafety brake, and governor opera-ted switch, are indicated as a whole by138.- The service switch for connecting thesystem to a suitable powersource is designate 139. r 4

Assume, for example, that the elevator car isat the third floor and thatcar gate 23 is in open position, Assume further that all the hatchwaydoors are closed and that all hatch- -.way doors, except that at thethird floor where the car is ositioned, are locked in closed positionwit iary door their related door lock contacts 120engaged. The auxilcontacts 121,.assoc1ated with all the hatch-- way doors including thatat the third floor are engaged. 'When service switch 139 is closed acircuit is completed from the ositive main, through the left-hand blad eof switch 139, wire 200, auxiliary door contacts 121, contacts H 144,coil T 140, contacts K 148, wire 202, and the right-hand blade of switch139, to the ne ative main for energizing soil T 140. Coi T 140, uponenerglzation, cause contacts T 141 to se arate.

A prospective passenger at t e third floor, desiring,to use theelevator. car, opens the hatchway door manually. door moves from closedposition auxilia oor contacts 121 separate, deenergizing coil T 1.40. Asa result, contacts T 141 engage completin a circuit from wire 200,through contacts 1 141, coil 150, to wire 202, energizing coil V 150 ofthe time limit switch causing the contacts V 151 to separate, therebyinterrupting the circuit for hall buttons 129 in wire 204.

As the car gate is in open position when the prospective passenger opensthe hatchway' door, the contacts of ate switches 90,are at this time inseparated position and the contacts of auxiliary gate switch 91 are inengaged position. Gate switches 90 thus maintain open the circuit foractuating coil P 123 of the potential switch to prevent completion ofthe car starting circuit until the gate is closed. With the auxiliarygate switch 91 in with the contacts thereof in engaged position-thereexists a;

partiallycomplete circuit for the gate releasmg magnet 74. Such acircuit is incom lete, owever, at the contacts J 154 and 149. Thecontact 87, it will be recalled is in engagement with contacts 85 whenthe door is latched in open position.

:After the passenger enters the car, the hatchway door at the thirdfloor closes automatically and auxiliary door contacts 121 reengagereenergizing coil T 140, resulting in the separation of Contacts T 141.Separation of contacts T141 deenergizes coil V 150 and contacts V 151start to reengage, their reengagement being retarded by a dash-pot V 152associated with switch V. Dash-pot V 152 is arranged to retard theengagement of contacts 151 but permits their immediate separation onenergization of coil V 150. The dash-pot is adjusted to provide aninterval of several seconds duration between the deenergization of coilV 150 and the engagement of contacts V 151, thus maintaining the circuitfor hall buttons 129 interrupted for several seconds after the hatchwaydoor closes in order to aflord the passenger an o portunity to operate acar button without being subject to interference with the control of thecar by operation'of a hall button.

Assume that. after the hatchway door closes the passenger in the caroperates the car button 128 corresponding to the second floor therebcompleting a circuit from wire 200, throu safety devlces 138, stopbutton 137, coil J 153, coil N155, second floor car button 128, coil H142, and contacts K 147 and P 127 to wire 202 for energizing theretiring cam switch coil J 153, coil N 155 of the floor switch for thesecond floor and actuating coil H 142 of the car holding switch.Energization of coil H 142 causes the engagement of contactsH 143 andthe separation of contacts H 144. The purpose of contacts H 143 will beex lained later. The separation of contacts 144 again breaks the circuitfor coil T 140, causing the reengagement of contacts T 141 and theconsequent reenergization of coil V 150 resulting in contacts V 151being restored to fully separated position. Thus, if the permitted timeinterval has expired after the hatchway door closed before a car buttonwas pushed, the separation of contacts- H 144, in response to thepushing of a car button, restores the car to the exclusive control ofthe occupant of the car, provided a hall button has not been pushed.

The energization of the second floor switch N 155 causes engagement ofcontacts N 156,

the purpose of which will be explained later.

The energization of coil J 153 results in the engagement of contacts J154, preparing cirsuits for actuating coil P 123 of the potential switchand the gate release magnet 74 and completing the circuit of retiringcam magnet 122. On energization of magnet 122 the retiring cam isoperated to lock the hatchway door at the third floor and engage therelated door lock contacts 120. The engagement of contacts 120, togetherwith the engagement of contacts H 143, completes a circuit for holdingcoil H 145 and hall breaking switch coil I 157 from wire 200, throughsafety devices 138, coil H 145, contacts H 143, coil I 157 and door lockcontacts 120, to wire 202. En-

ergization of coil I 157 results in the separation of contacts I 158 tofurther open the hall button circuit in wire 204.

The engagement of door lock contacts 120, together with the engagementof second floor switch contacts N 156, completes a circuit fornon-interference switch coil K 146 and down direction switch actuatingcoil B 160, thls circuit being also a holding circuit for sec- 2 0ndfloor switch coil N 155 and retiring cam switch coil J 153. This circuitmay be traced from wire 200, through safety devices 138, stop button137, coil J 153, 0011 N 155, contacts N 156, intermediate switch 134 andterminal switch 136 of the floor con troller, contacts A 171 of updirection switch A, down direction switch coil B 16O, co1l K 146 anddoor lock contacts 120 to wire 202.

As coil K 146 is energized, non-interference switch contacts K 147separate to open the circuit of the car buttons and hall buttons in wire210. Contacts K 148 also separate to further open the circuit of coil T140. Contacts K 149 engage to complete a circuit from wire 200, throughcontacts J 154, contacts of auxiliary gate switch 91, magnet 74, latchcontacts 85 and 87, and contacts K 149, to wire 202 for energizing theate release magnet 74. Upon energization o magnet 7 4, the gate closingand checking device 40 starts to move gate toward closed position, aspreviously described. When the shoulder of latch 80 has firmly engagedthe end of lever 71, contact 87 moves away from contacts 85 therebyinterrupting the circuit of magnet 74. However, as lever 71 is supportedin raised position by the latch, roller is maintained out of engagementwith disc 53. Consequently, although magnet 74 is deenergized to preventunnecessary consumption of cur rent, the gate closing device isoperative to continue moving the gate to closed position.

Non-interference switch coil K 146 is made subject to door lock contacts120 to prevent energization of the gate releasing magnet prior to thelocking of the hatchway door. Thus, the possibility of a person openingthe hatchway door and being struck by the moving gate is obviated.

The energization of coil B 160 results in operation of down directionswitch B interrupting the circuit of up direction switch coil A 170 atcontacts B 161 and preparing the circuits of elevator motor 110 andbrake release coil 115 for operation of the car in the down direction.Circuits are also prepared for accelerating switch coil C 180.

As the gate nears closed position, the auxiL iary gate switch 91 opens,further opening the circuit for magnet 74. Latch 80 is then engaged bytripping member 82 and rocked thereby about its pivot, removing itsshoulder from under lever 71. Lever 71 thereupon drops against stop 78.the roller 70, however,

being above the flattened portion of the disc 1 permitting the gate tocontinue to closed position. Contact 87, moving with the latch, en-

- gages contact 85 in the circuit for magnet 74 ut the circuit for themagnet is maintained open by gate switch 91, now opened.

As the gate reaches closed position, the contacts of gate switches 90engage and complete a circuit from wire 200, through contacts J 154,gate switch 90, coil P 123, gate switch 90, to wire 202 for actuatingcoil P 123 of the potential switch. U n energization of coil P 123, thecontacts P 124, P 125 and P 126 engage to connectthe armature 111, theseries field winding 113, and the shunt windin 114 of the elevator motorand alsothe bral e release coil 115 to wires 200 and 202. Contacts P 127separate to open the hall and our button circuit in wire 210 therebyrenderin g the hall and car buttons ineffective to control operation ofthe elevator car while the.

potential switch is closed.

The elevator motor armature and field winding being energized and brake116 released, the elevator motor starts the car in the down direction.As the counter E. M. F. of the motor builds up, accelerating switch coilC 180 causes the engagement of contacts C 181, C 182 and C 183 insuccession to shortcircuit the starting resistance 112 and series fieldwinding 113 in steps. As a result, the elevator motor is brought to fullspeed. As the car leaves the third floor, the intermediate switch 131 ofthe floor controller closes to enable the car to return to the thirdfioor.'

As the car nears the second floor, intermediate switch contacts 134 ofcontroller 130 separate interruptin the circuit for coils J 153, N 155,B 160 and K 146. As coil N 155 deenergizes, the floor switch contacts N156 separate in preparation for a subsequent operation. As coil B 160deenergizes down direction switch B operates to interrupt the circuitsof elevator motor 110 and brake release coil 115 and to connect dynamicbrake resistance 117 across the motor armature 111. The deenergizationof coil 115 results in the application of brake 116 which, assisted bydynamic brake resistance 117 connected across armature 111, brings thecar to rest at the second floor.

Upon deenergization of retiring cam switch coil J 153, contacts J 154separate to interrupt the circuits of potential switch coil P123 andretiring cam magnet 122. On deene'rgization of coil P 123, contacts P124, P 125 and P 126 separate and contacts P 127 engage. Contacts P 124,P 125 and P 126 control the circuits of motor 110 and brake release coil115, these circuits having previously been opened on separation of thecontacts of down direction switch B. Contacts P 127 on engagementprepare the circuit for the hall and car buttons for a subsequentoperation.

As coil K 146 deenergizes, the contacts K 147 and K 148 engage whilecontacts K 149 tion of door lock contacts 120 interrupts the circuitthrough coils H 145 and I 157. On deenergization of coil 157 contacts I158 engage, preparing the hall button circuit in wire 204. The hallbutton circuit, however, remains open at contacts V 151. ()ndeenergization of coil H 145 contacts H 143 sepa rate and contacts H 144engage. tion of contacts H143 is in preparation for a subsequentoperation under control of a car button. Engagement of contacts H 144,

together'with engagement of contacts K 148, completes the circuit forcoil T 140, effectlng the separation of contacts T 141, resulting indeenergizationof coil V 150. As coil V 150 is deenergized, contacts V151'start to engage, their engagement being retarded for the intervalprovided by dash-pot V 152 to afford the occupant of the car anopportunity to open the hatchway door to leave the car. This eliminatesthe possibility of the car starting in response to a hall button 129before the occupant has had a. reasonable op portunity to open thehatchway door after the car arrives at its destination.

'When the occupant of the car opens the car gate, eccentrically mountedroller 70 is turned to permit the gate opening operation, as previouslydescribed. As the gate is moved from closed position, the contacts ofgate switches 90 separate and the contacts of auxiliary gate switch 91engage. The opening of gate switches 90 further opens the circuit ofpotential switch coil P 123. The closing of auxiliary gate switch 91prepares the circuit of.

magnet 74 in preparation for a subsequent gate closing operation. Whenthe occupant of the car opens the hatchway door, auxiliary door contacts121 separate, deenergizing coil T 140, resulting in engagement ofcontacts T 141 to energize coil V 150 to cause the re storation ofcontacts V 151 to their fully separated position. The hall buttoncircuit thus remains interrupted until the contacts V 151 reengage underthe retarding action of dash-pot V 152 after auxiliary door contacts 121engage as the hatchway door closes.

In the event that the occupant of the our desires to change hisdestination, he may operate the stop switch 137 thereby stopping thecar. It is to be noted, however, that the circuit including hallbreaking switch coil I 157 is not interrupted if the stop occurs be-Separatween floors. Consequently, the control of the car cannot be takenfrom the occupant by a person at a floor regardless of the time whichelapse-s before another car button is operated.

When the gate is moved only a short distance from closed position it isreturned to closed position Without the necessity of energizing magnet74, if the opening movement has not resulted in removing the flattenedportion 54 of disc 53 from beneath roller 70. Under these conditions,lever 71 being in engagement with stop 7 8 maintains roller out ofcontact with disc 53 and con sequently roller TO does not interfere withthe movement of the gate. Although such movement of the gate results instori ng, only a small force in the spring of gatd closing device 40,the weight of the parts of this device together with the weight of armgrip 31 acts through arm 30 to return the gate to closed position. If,after a button has been pushed the gate is opened suiliciently to turndisc 53 so that flattened portion 54 is moved from beneath roller 70 andthe areaate portion into engagement therewith, cam 88 moves out ofengagement with roller 108 causing contact 1013 to engage contact 103,thus reenergizing magnet 74: to raise roller 70 out of engagement withdisc 54 to permit the gate to be closed, as previously described.

Although the gate operating and holding device has been describedadapted to an automatic push button elevator system, it is equallyapplicable to other types of control systems, such as other systems inwhich the control is effected by push buttons or systems in which anattendant is provided to controi both the starting and stopping of thecar or only the starting thereof. Furthermore, a manually operable gatecontrol switch may be provided, in the system in which the mechanism isemployed, to control the energization of magnet 74. In any of thesesystems, in which the ate operating and holding device is embofied, aperson using the car is relieved of the burden of holding the gate inopen position while en tering or leaving the car and also of the burdenof closing the gate. A closed car gate is also assured while the'car isin motion, thus protecting occupants of the car from the possibility ofinjury by contact with projections in the hatchway. As stated above,power operated means, such as described in applicants prior patent, maalso be provided to open the car gate an the operating and holdingdevice may be used on hatchway doors as Well as car gates.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely difierent embodiments of this inven-' tion could bemade without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. In combination with a closure; a closure operator adapted to movesaid closure to closed position; means for restraining said closureoperator from moving said closure comprising, a rotatable memberoperable upon movement of said closure, and means adapted to engage-saidrotatable member to prevent movement of said closure to closed positionby said closure operator; means adapted to be operated to free saidrotatable member from said engaging means to permit said closure to bemoved to closed position by said closure operator, said last mentionedmeans being momentarily operated; a latch adapted to maintain saidengaging means out of cooperative relation with said rotatable member topermit continued movement of said closure by said closure operator uponcessation of operation of said momentarily operated means; and meanscarried by said rotatable member adapted to release said latching meansas said closure nears closed position.

2. In combination with a closure; a closure operator adapted to movesaid closure to closed position; means for restrainin said closureoperator from moving said clbsure from an open position toward closedposition, said means comprising, a rotatable member operable by saidclosure operator, and an eccentrically mounted roller adapted to engagesaid member to revent movement of said member and there y preventmovement of said closure toward closed position by said closureoperator; means adapted to free said member from the restraint 'of saidroller and permit said closure operator to move said closure to closedposition, said last mentioned means being momentarily operated; and alatch adapted to maintain said member free from the restraint of saidroller to permit said closure operator to continue movement of saidclosure to closed position.

3. In combination with a closure; a closure operator adapted to movesaid closure to closed position; means for restraining said closureopepator from moving said closure from an open position toward closedposi tion, said means comprising, a rotatable member operable uponmovement of said closure, and an eccentrically mounted roller adapted toengage said member to prevent movement of said closure toward closedposition by said closure operator; a lever connected to said roller, anelectromagnet having an armature connected to said lever and adaptedupon energization to move said roller from engagement with said memberto permit movement of saidclosure to close position by said closureoperator, said ro. atable member having a flattened portion adapted tounderlie said roller; and a stop adapted to be engaged by said leverwhereby movement of said closure within a predetermined zone isunaffected by said roller.

4. In combination with a closure; a closure operator adapted to biassaid closure to closed position; means for restraining said closureoperator from moving said closure from an open toward closed position,said means comprising, a rotatable disc connected to rotate whenevermovement of said closure occurs, and an eccentrically mounted rolleradapted to engage said disc to prevent movement of said closure towardclosed position by said closure operator; a lever connected to saidroller; an electromagnet having an armature connected to said lever andadapted, upon energization, to rotate said roller about its eccentricmounting from engagement with said disc to permit movement of saidclosure to closed position by said closure operator, said electromagnetbeing momentarily energized; a latch adapted upon energization of saidelectromagnet to engage said lever to maintain said roller from contactwith said disc thereby permitting continued movement of said closure bysaid closure operator upon deenergization of said electromagnet; andmeans carried by said disc adapted to move said latch from engagementwith said lever when said closure nears closed position.

5. In an elevator installation; an elevator car; a closure adapted whenopen to aiford access to said car; a closure operator adapted to biassaid closure to one of its operated positions; and means for holdingsaid closure in any other position, when so moved, said meanscomprising, a rotatable member operable by said closure operator, a stubshaft, a roller eccentrically mounted on said stub shaft, a leverconnected to said roller, a spring engaging said lever to bias saidroller about said shaft into contact with said rotatable member,wherebythe tendency of said closure operator to move said closure to said oneposition operates said rotatable member which in turn causes said rollerto turn on said shaft so as to decrease the distance between the centerof the shaft and the point of contact of said roller and said rotatablemember to prevent operation of said rotatable member and thereby preventoperation of said clo sure operator to move said closure to said oneposition.

6. In an elevator installation; an elevator car; a closure adapted whenopen to afford access to said car; a closure operator adapted to biassaid closure to one of its operated positions; a rotatable memberoperable upon movement of said closure; a stub shaft; a rollereccentrically mounted on said shaft; a lever connected to said roller; aspring engaging said lever to turn said roller about said shaft intocontact with said member to prevent movement of said closure by saidclosure operator; and neans cooperating with said lever to turn saidroller about said stub shaft to increase the distance between the centerof said stub shaft and the point of contact of said roller and saidrotatable member to permit said closure operator to move said closure tosaid one position.

7. In an elevator installation; an elevator car; a gate on said car; aclosure operator connected to said gate for biasing said gate to closedposition; a rotatable member operable upon movement of said gate; meansadapted to cooperate with said member to prevent the closing of saidgate by said closure operator; electromagnetic means adapted, uponenergization, to release said means first mentioned means fromcooperation with said member to permit movement of said gate to closedposition by said closure operator; a latch adapted to maintain saidfirst mentioned means in released position; and a switch operable todeenergize said electromagnetic means upon operation of said latch.

8. In an elevator installation; anelevator car; a gate on said car; agate operator biasing said gate to closed position; a rotatable memberoperable upon movement of said gate; a stub shaft; a rollereccentrically mounted on said stub shaft; a lever connected to saidroller; a spring'engaging said lever for biasing said roller forrotation about said shaft into contact with said rotatable member toprevent movement of said gate by said closure operator; meanscooperating with said lever to turn said roller about said stub shaft topermit movement of said gate by said gate operator, said means beingmomentarily operated; a latch adapted to engage said lever to maintainsaid roller out of contact with said rotatable member to permitcontinued movement of said gate by said gate operator upon cessation ofoperation of said momentarily operated means; a trip ca rriedby saidrotatable member adapted to free said lever from said latch when saidgate reaches a predetermined position in closing to permit said springto return said roller to position for engaging said rotatable member;said rotatable member having a flattened portion adapted to underliesaid roller when said gate is moved to said predetermined position; anda stop adapted to be engaged by said lever to maintain said roller outof contact with the flattened portion of said rotatable member to permitcontinued free movement of said gate to fully closed position.

9. In an elevator installation; an elevator car; a gate for said car; agate operator for biasing said gate to closed position; means formaintaining said gate in open position, when so moved, comprising arotatable disc mounted on said car and operable upon movement of saidgate, an eccentrically mounted roller, a lever connected to said roller,and

means biasing said lever to move said roller into contact with said discto prevent rotation thereof; electromagnetic means connected to saidlever adapted to move said roller from contact with said disc to permitsaid gat operator to close said gate; a latch adapted to engage saidlever to maintain said roller from contact with said disc: a switchcontrolled by said latch adapted upon operation to de energize saidelectromagnetic means; a tripping member carried by said disc adapted torelease said latch to permit said spring to restore said roller tooperative position and to close said switch to prepare the circuit forsaid electromagnetic means, the peripheral surface of said disc beingprovided with a flattened portion adapted to be moved into alignmentwith said roller when said gate is moved within a predetermined zone: astop adapted to be engaged by said lever to maintain said roller out ofcontact with the flattened portion of said disc so that the finalmovement of said gate to closed position by said gate operator isnnretarded by said roller a cam carried by said gate and a switchoperable by said cam when said gate is moved into said zone formaintaining the circuit of said electromagnetic means open when saidfirst mentioned switch is closed by said tripping member.

10. In an elevator installation having a hatchway, an elevator carmovable therein, operating means controlling the movement of said car insaid hatchway, a gate for said car and means biasing said gate to closedposition; restraining means for preventing the operation of said biasingmeans and for maintaining said gate in any of a plurality of openpositions; means for releasing said gate from said restraining means topermit said biasing means to close said gate; means for energizing saidreleasing means upon the operation of said car operating means; meanscontrolled by said releasing means to deenergize the same when said gateis freed from said restraining means; and other means controlled by saidreleasing means adapted to permit continued movement of said gate bysaid biasing means upon deenergization of said releasing means.

11. In an elevator installation having a hatchway and an elevator carmovable therein; operating means controlling the move ment of said carin said hatchway; a gate for said oar; means biasing said gate to closedposition; restraining means for preventing the operation of said biasingmeans and for maintaining said gate in any of a plurality of openpositions; electromagnetic meansenergizable to release said gate fromsaid restraining means to permit said biasing means to close said gate;means for energizin said releasing means upon the operation 0? said earoperating means; a switch controlled by said releasing means and adaptedto deenergize the latter when said gate is freed from said restrainingmeans; other means controlled by said releasing means adapted to permitcontinued movement of said gate by said biasing means upondcenergization of said releasing means; means adapted to 0p erate saidswitch to prepare an energizing circuit for said releasing means whensaid gate in closing reaches a predetermined position; and a switchcontrolled by the position oi said gate adapted to be closed when saidgate is open and to be opened when said gate is in substantially closedposition, said switch upon being opened, as the gate reachessubstantially closed position, acting to maintain said energizingcircuit interrupted.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

THOMAS BRADY.

